Your guide to an unforgettable Hunter Valley hens weekend
There’s no better way to celebrate your best friend’s betrothal than with a Hunter Valley hen’s weekend!
With countless cellar doors, exciting bucket-list activities and luxurious stays, this renowned wine region welcomes bachelorette dos of all kinds.
Only two hours from Sydney and 45 minutes outside of Newcastle, it is the ideal destination for you ladies to wine, dine, pamper and party together.
Below, we’ve gathered a list of the best Hens weekend activities in the Hunter Valley. Get inspired and plan the perfect girly getaway for your bride-to-be.
8 best activities for a Hunter Valley hens weekend in 2023
1. In-home spa treatments
A spa experience is a great way to relax the bride’s mind and body during her final stretch of wedding planning. Even better when she doesn’t have to step a foot outside her luxury accommodation.
Treat the bride-to-be to a heavenly afternoon that will leave her feeling rejuvenated and ready to take on her big day. With a talented therapist coming to you, you can take turns enjoying massages and facials in the comfort of your villa.
And afterwards, keep up the good times with some living room karaoke! Damien’s Party Entertainment‘s Karaoke machines feature thousands of songs, from decades-old classics to current chart toppers. To get the party started, simply plug the machine into your phone .
2. Wine touring
Dreaming of a hens do full of farm-to-table feasts and award-winning wine?
No list of hens party ideas for the Hunter Valley is complete without a wine tour. After all, this is one of Australia’s most esteemed wine regions.
So, get together for a delectable day visiting vineyard after vineyard. From Usher Tinkler Wines and Brokenwood Wines to Keith Tulloch and Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard, there are countless cellar doors to explore as everyone gets to know each other better with every sip!
Dismiss the idea of a designated driver and add some adventure to your wine tour with the Grapemobile. Pick up and drop off is available from local accommodation. Once there, you’ll be able to hop on a bike and cycle between cellar doors through the idyllic countryside. Plus, any bottle you buy will be waiting for you upon return.
Sound like the right fit for your Hunter Valley hens weekend? Remember to raise a glass to the gorgeous bride at each winery!
3. Grape stomping
You’ve raised a glass, now stomp some grapes. This age-old wine making technique is not only fascinating but also a very fun experience for anyone who isn’t afraid to get their feet dirty. Learn the process behind your favourite bottle of wine as you smush, squelch and laugh uncontrollably.
Grape stomping is always a good time. So, get the ladies together and brave some barrels on your Hunter Valley hens weekend itinerary!
4. Hot air balloon ride, followed by champagne
Take the bride’s breath away with a truly incredible hot air balloon ride. With Beyond Ballooning, you can book an exclusive flight for four to eight passengers. Your adventure will begin at sunrise in the Lower Hunter Valley. Soak up the once-in-a-lifetime views as you soar through the sky! Then it’s time to get back on the ground and pop some champagne.
This exceptional experience includes return transfers from local accommodation and a digital photo package, so the bride can take home some stunning snapshots of her special weekend away.
4. Private cooking class
Is the bride-to-be a passionate foodie? Incorporate her appreciation for delicious paddock-to-plate dishes with a private cooking class!
At Majors Lane Cooking School, hen parties between six and 24 people are invited to cook up a storm with a helping hand from their master chef. Select from the Vibrant Thai Street Food or Low and Slow Smoking Masterclasses.
Whichever cuisine she prefers, you’ll be cooking (and drinking) in a sheltered courtyard surrounded by beautiful fountains and vineyard vistas! Then it’s time to feast.
6. Gin tasting experience
If the bride’s not a wine woman, we’ve got another wonderful Hunter Valley hens weekend idea for you. Nestled in Pokolbin, Hunter Distillery is the region’s only certified organic distillery at the time of writing.
Serving up award-winning spirits crafted with fresh, local ingredients, these top-shelf spirit providers offer a unique “test tube” gin tasting experience. Here, up to 20 guests can discover botanicals bursting with one-of-a-kind flavours! Just make sure to book ahead.
7. Life drawing with a twist
Life drawing may sound tame, but this Hunter Valley hens party idea has a special touch. Sketch, giggle and sip on BYO beverages as you battle it out for the best interpretation of the handsome man in front of you.
Lasting one and a half hours, this life drawing class hosted by Damiens Party Entertainment is sure to spark your creativity – with plenty of laughter and a few bridal blushes along the way. Please note that bookings are essential.
8. Dinner and cocktail making at NINETEEN
Enjoy a farm-to-table feast at NINETEEN. With a carefully-curated menu of the freshest seasonal produce, this relaxed Pokolbin restaurant is a fantastic place to fuel up on a hens weekend in the Hunter Valley. From grilled salmon and vegan burgers to angus rump steaks and scrumptious pizzas, there’s a dish to delight every guest.
Afterwards, head to the downstairs beer garden and dance the night away to live music – all mere moments from your accommodation. Alternatively, arrange a private cocktail making class, naming each creation after a key moment in the bride’s relationship!
While walk-ins are welcome, large groups like hen parties should make a restaurant booking to avoid disappointment. Cocktail making classes must be arranged in advance.
4 beautiful places to stay on a Hunter Valley hens weekend
You’ll need somewhere for everyone to relax and recharge in between all those fun activities!
Not sure where to stay?
Discover luxury accommodation in the heart of Pokolbin with The Vintage Holiday Houses. Many of our private villas will cater to your whole group under one roof, so that you can continue the celebrations when you get back to base.
Read on to check out a few of our favourite holiday homes for Hens weekends in the Hunter Valley.
1. Hamptons on Figtree
Sleeps: 10
Spanning not one but two parcels of land, Hamptons on Figtree is a gorgeous five-bedroom home that combines coastal interiors with countryside charm. Watch the bride’s jaw drop as you pull up to the grand driveway and discover the beauty awaiting inside.
Sleeping up to 10 people, each bedroom is complete with its own ensuite – that means no battling for mirrors as you get ready for the night ahead!
Downstairs, the open-plan living and dining area epitomises effortless luxury so that you can relax and unwind in luxury. Plus, head to the dedicated rumpus room to play hens party games in style. In the morning, gather around the long, rustic dining table for pancakes and mimosas.
Designed for entertaining, this enchanting holiday house also comes with its very own swimming pool and 6-hole putting green.
2. Greens on Eight
Sleeps: 12
An amazing choice for any Hunter Valley hens weekend, Greens on Eight is a glorious holiday home beside our eighth fairway.
Accommodating as many as 12 guests, this stylish rental property has been designed for sumptuous relaxation and sophisticated entertaining.
Discover all the features needed for the perfect hens party, including a state-of-the-art kitchen for cheese and charcuterie board feasts and an alfresco BBQ area for celebrations in the sunshine.
Complete with its own swimming pool and theatre room, you could spend your entire Hunter Valley hens weekend at Greens on Eight with pleasure!
3. Jacoru on 3
Sleeps: 10
Jacoru on 3 is a firm favourite for Hunter Valley hens weekends! And it’s easy to see why.
This five-bedroom holiday home showcases an open-plan design, with massive windows providing panoramic vistas of the lush parkland reserve and its resident kangaroos.
Beyond the giant glass sliding doors, you’ll find a shaded alfresco BBQ space and private swimming pool for the whole group to enjoy. Meanwhile, those with a competitive streak can gather around the pool table.
After a day packed with festivities, unwind around the sandstone gas fireplace or cook up a feast in the fully-equipped designer kitchen. Just don’t forget to toast to the bride with some sundowners on the deck!
4. Hunter Valley Wildflower
Sleeps: 8
Hunter Valley Wildflower is the perfect rental property for any hen do. Party, pamper and prepare for a night out in modern luxury.
Welcoming as many as 8 guests, its four bedrooms come with private ensuites plus optional bunk beds if you’re bringing along all of your bride-to-be’s family and friends!
This contemporary holiday home has been designed for unparalleled comfort inside and out. Slide open the large glass doors and unwind in the alfresco living area – which boasts its own wood fireplace and fully-equipped BBQ setup. Alternatively, take a dip in the private swimming pool or hold a table tennis tournament.
Back indoors, the media room is adorned with movie posters and enveloped in darkness – the ultimate place to showcase any slideshows and videos you’ve prepared for the soon-to-be bride!
The key takeaway: whatever the guests at your hen party feel like doing in their downtime, Hunter Valley Wildflower is sure to impress.
Start planning the perfect Hunter Valley hens weekend
It’s time to organise your favourite hen party ideas in the Hunter Valley. With everything from wine tasting and cocktail making to massages and hot air balloon rides, there are all sorts of sensational local experiences to enjoy on this special weekend away.
Need to arrange somewhere to stay? The Vintage Holiday Houses welcomes you and your hens party to luxury group accommodation in the Hunter Valley.
Just minutes from the region’s many wineries, restaurants and activity providers, each opulent home away from home enjoys plenty of wonderful amenities and fun activities on its doorstep.
Discover available holiday rentals for your hens weekend in the Hunter Valley or get in touch with our team to learn more before you book.
